The UK government will consider introducing legislation to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession once the police investigation into the former working royal concludes, ITV News reports.
Andrew was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations linked to the release of the Epstein files. He became the first senior royal in modern history to be arrested, spending around 11 hours in custody before being released under investigation by Thames Valley Police. Andrew has denied any wrongdoing but has not publicly addressed the latest allegations.
Following the arrest, King Charles III said that the law must take its course and confirmed that the police have his “full and wholehearted support and co-operation.”
Andrew remains eighth in line to the British throne, behind Prince William and his three children, as well as Prince Harry and his two children. When Andrew was born, succession laws prioritised sons over daughters, placing him and his children ahead of Princess Anne. The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 later made succession gender-neutral, meaning Prince William’s children do not follow the same rules. While Andrew ascending to the throne is considered highly unlikely, public opinion would likely prevent such a scenario.
Any changes to the line of succession would require consultation and agreement with the other Commonwealth Realms, sovereign nations that still recognise King Charles as head of state.
This marks a shift in government approach. When Andrew was stripped of his royal titles in November 2025, Downing Street had stated there were no plans to legislate changes to peerages or succession. Andrew had already lost his royal patronages and was required to vacate Royal Lodge, within Windsor Castle, amid scrutiny over his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
In January 2022, Queen Elizabeth II revoked Andrew’s HRH title, military affiliations, and royal patronages after a judge allowed Virginia Giuffre’s civil sexual assault case against him to proceed. The case was later dismissed following a reported financial settlement of up to £12 million.
In November 2025, following the posthumous release of Giuffre’s memoir, King Charles removed Andrew’s remaining titles, including Prince and Duke of York. Andrew has consistently denied all allegations made by Giuffre.
